"Magic"

"Magic - Any extraordinary or irresistible influence; mysteriously enchanting."

Magic is something that can slip through our fingers - as if it were a 'slight-of-hand' trick.  It often happens as a surprise - something magical will happen and there is that moment of awe, beauty and well, magic!

This word is for the explorer and the adventurer in all of us.  For it often happens when we least expect it and we must always keep our eyes open (and hearts I might add). 

Of course there are those momentous moments when a child is born, or two people commit to each other and there is a lovely celebration.  And there is magic being performed by scientists each and every day.  Discoveries that might change our lives.

 But there are also the everyday magical moments. Those can be as simple as the smile of a friend, the hug of a loved one, the sun coming up and the stars shining at night.  All contain a bit of magic.  I envy those who recognize magic whenever or wherever it appears.  They certainly must have been touched by a 'Whisper'.

"The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." - Bertrand Russell

'Starr'

The first time I discovered "Starr" she was on her back, looking toward the sky.  Whatever is she doing?  Perhaps a bit of cloud watching???  No, it turns out that she is enamored with stars -- but had slept the night away and thought she might find a bit of starlight in the early morning.  She had seen a sliver of moon once in broad daylight.  Why not a star?

Our visit led us into a discussion of stars.  She was bumfuzzled because Bibliofile had read to them all about stars and he said that stars are balls of gases held together by their own gravity.  Surely she thought they were much more romantic than that. At that point in the reading she broke down in tears and the whole group had to stop the educational process to give Starr several shoulders to cry on.

And so I gave Starr my thoughts on the mysteries of life -- and the perceptions that each of us has.  If her perception is that the stars are beautiful shining beacons in the dark sky, why not keep those thoughts?  Why not spend her evenings watching the stars as she has in the past?  Magic can often be the very best part of our lives and  we should hold it close and nurture it.   For isn't there a value in living your life through dreams and ideas and fanciful notions?

"When you wish upon a star

Makes no difference who you are

Anything your heart desires

Will come to you

If your heart is in your dreams

No request is too extreme

When you wish upon a star

As dreamers do..."

Lee Harlington and Ned Washington

"Perception"

Perception of mind - enomena.deviantart

I've been delving into the word 'perception' and all its meanings and ramifications.  Its really a HUGE word -- full of possibilities and questions and answers.  In some ways we are ruled by our perceptions.  Each day our minds are busy perceiving, whether we are aware of it or not.  And, think about this - our new perceptions are often built on our old perceptions.  Gosh there's a lot going on up there!

Perception is the reason three people can view an incident and yet relate back three different versions of it.  It can often be the cause of disagreements because each person is coming at the situation with a different perception.  I've learned over the years not to always trust my perceptions.  Viewing a person through preconceived notions has led me away from them instead of toward them.  And yet, when I actually get to know the person I find that we are more alike than not alike and we often become very  good friends.  Sneaky things those perceptions.

These days I think that sometimes my perceptions should be put into a closet somewhere. Sometimes I need a bit of mystery, magic and fun no matter how much it flies in the face of my own reality. Sometimes I need to open myself up completely and let new, fun, magical impressions come in. I want to fill my  life journey with new knowledge and magic and see where it takes me.  How about you?

"Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you'll see them all around you." - Jon Bon Jovi

Cloud Land

Recently my morning walk was interrupted by this beautiful and magical sight.  Looking down from the hill I'd climbed, I saw a vast sea of clouds below me in the valley.  The blue/purple mountains in the background made me feel like I was looking at a wonderland.

And indeed I was -- for how often did I see this sight.  Knowing it wouldn't last long, as the sun came up and cleared away the fog, I savored this one small moment given to me on this most amazing morning.

"If the world could remain within a frame like a painting on the wall, I think we'd see the beauty then and stand staring in awe." - Conor Oberst

Do You Believe in Fairies?

I do!!  They must be there, although I’ve never actually seen one.  Sadly I am left to try to make some sightings of my own.

When I walk on the edge of the woods I see this.  Is this not the perfect place for a fairy or two to hide out when I approach?

 

Do they come to the pond to look at their reflections?  I know my husband says that it’s only the frogs that I hear jumping back into the water when I arrive, but I’m not quite so sure.  If only those frogs could talk (other than the non-stop croaking they seem to be so fond of).

Isn’t this leafy, fern grotto just perfect for an afternoon romp – is that why the ferns seem to move at my approach – because the fairies are running for better cover as I arrive?

 

As evening comes my husband says “look at the fireflies”.  I look at those blinking lights darting here and there.  I’ve never seen a firefly up close (I tried unsuccessfully as a child to catch them in bottles) so I can’t absolutely vouch for the fact that those aren’t fairy lights.  If they must be fireflies then perhaps they are the carriers of the lanterns for the fairies?

Have I convinced you?  I hope so, because I think everyone ought to believe in something magical, mystical and beautiful.

"The fairies break their dances
And leave the printed lawn."

- A. E. Houseman

Into the Swamp

Come along with me into the Congaree Swamp.  We'll walk the boardwalk (so as not to get muddy and wet) and see what lies within this place.

Bald Cypress trees put their roots down into the water becoming huge trunks looking somewhat like an elephant's leg.

Cypress 'knees' surround the trunks of these trees.  They serve to aerate the trees. To me they look like pieces of clay formed into conical shapes at the foot of the trees.

The water is dark and full of nutrients throughout the swamp.  This is an environment that is unique to place and works together to create a magical, mystical swamp forest.

Sometimes I look up to see the bright blue sky above.

And looking back down, the dark water makes it appear that there are two forests that I am walking in. The one above and the one below.

"During all these years there existed within me a tendency to follow Nature in her walks". - John James Audubon.